Randomized controlled trial of a behavior change intervention to increase physical activity and quality of life in prostate cancer survivors

Abstract

Background: Physical activity (PA) has been shown to improve important health outcomes in prostate cancer survivors, however, participation rates are low. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an implementation intention intervention on PA and quality of life (QoL) in prostate cancer survivors.Methods: Prostate cancer survivors (N= 423) were randomly assigned to a standard PA recommendation (SPAR), a self-administered implementation intention (SAII), or a telephone-assisted implementation intention (TAII). The primary outcome was self-reported PA minutes per week. Secondary outcomes were QoL, fatigue, and prostate cancer specific symptoms. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, and 1 and 3 months after randomization.Results: Analyses of covariance using multiple imputation for missing data showed that PA at 1 month increased by 86 minutes/week in the SPAR group compared with 186 minutes/week in the SAII group (adjusted mean difference=82 minutes/week; 95% CI=2 to 162; P = .023), and 105 minutes/week in the TAII group (adjusted mean difference=4 minutes/week; 95% CI= -77 to 85; P = .353). No differences were found for PA at 3 months, QoL, fatigue, or prostate cancer specific symptoms.Conclusion: A self-administered implementation intention resulted in a short term meaningful increase in PA that was not maintained at 3 months and did not improve patient-reported outcomes. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01410656

Acknowledgments: Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute, Canada Research Chairs Program, Killam Research Fund, Alberta Cancer Registry